Yes to homosexuality

I never expected any president of America in this new age of technological and scientific advancement (moral backwardness as well) to go against the touchy issue of homosexuality. I will not be surprised if developing countries and their leaders follow this trend as it is now a norm to make America or other western world’s our models in morality.

I have failed to adequately reconcile the relationship between rise in immorality and civilization. We have been made to believe that homosexuality which has a lenient name coined for it is a natural disposition from birth. Homosexuality is not a predisposition; it is a condition which results from hormonal imbalance or disturbed childhood. Traditionally or religiously it has no place. It is condemned by religions. Nonetheless, the agitators of this evil act term the religions or doctrines that condemn it as archaic. I heard about a gay pastor in the United States and I wonder what portion of the holy book he misrepresented to justify his evil beliefs.

I am sure some Africans will hail the recent decision of Obama supporting gays and lesbians. I do not expect wise people to seek approval or opinion of a public figure whose opinions are largely shaped to please the voting majority. We fail to realize that they are men like us and thus they are not infallible. They occupy positions of limelight in which most times their personal opinion may make or mar their political aspirations. Obama has been flip-flopping on this issue for some time and I was not surprised when some of his followers called his prolonged decision making as evolving.

And if by tomorrow my opinion is required about homosexuality, it will be shaped by my religion and seconded by my tradition. Does my opinion really matter even if I am contesting for a position? Does my singular opinion matter in a democratic environment where I know majority has the day? So if the majority like, by the year 2050 let them agree and legalize stealing and killing since it can be termed to be an orientation from birth and thus should be allowed in the constitution.

Between Belief and Unbelief

I guess the African superstitious traditional belief is one thing many cannot get out of their system. Most people of differing faiths are not true adherent of their religion because they still hold on tight to some traditional beliefs which have no basis in their religion.

Reasoning alone already nullifies some of these superstitions beliefs. Nonetheless, our fear of the unknown makes us slaves to these beliefs. How can one explain people who ought to know better concerning their religion yet they have more belief in fetishism.

A lot of folks do not even believe in their own prayers and neither do they believe in prayers from their religious heads, they prefer to be handed weird looking objects, miracle water or holy handkerchief. Their belief in this item clearly shows their unbelief in God.

So far, religion has been proven not to negate science and technology, rather religion attest to it. Thus, it is irrational to place our belief on talismans that have not been scientifically (medically) proved to be beneficial or have no remedial or healing power. Some look on to the crucifix which they hang on their neck or the rosaries which they count. To the best of my understanding, it’s our belief that makes the majority of these talisman works for us. It is absolutely not because they possess any power.

In conclusion, I will share the story of a mother who does so much house cleaning. She woke up very tired one morning while she has some cleaning to do. Psychologically she felt she was not strong enough for the days cleaning. Her little daughter was also whining so she had to pacify the girl with candies. She kept the remaining candies in her apron alongside her aspirin and resumed the cleaning. She got tired and dipped her hand into the apron to take some aspirin pills. She swallowed the pills ensuring she does not taste the bitterness. She completed the cleaning with so much energy bursting in her. While trying to wash the apron she noticed the aspirins. She had taken candies instead of aspirin and it worked for her.

All we need for our prayers to be answered is to believe. Fetish objects are facts that we do not truly believe in God to answer us.

When eating together becomes ‘Chop-I-Chop’

The essence of the family is unity and feeling of unconditional love among every member. A lot of tradition within the family which dates back to history is meant to promote love within the family. One of these traditions is eating together from the same plate. Many middle age folks and older ones may have at one time while growing up ate with members of their family from the same plate.

Some have funny memories attached to this tradition. It may be the memory of ‘Daddy’ always eating the biggest meat of the two meats while every other member of the family shares the smaller meat. Some still lament playfully how an elder brother or sister cheated them of their meat. These memories are sweet memories of happy family (ies). They are memories of funny pranks between siblings. Memories which most of us long for it to happen again but its experience are sadly impossible.

I doubt if families still share this wonderful experience. I wonder if the love of sharing today can be compared to the love at that time. I do not feel ashamed eating in the same plate with my siblings and I still see some older folks do it till date. You need to see them to feel the aura of love that engulfs such people. I will not be surprised if kids of today see me as been dirty or backward. I am sure most of them prefer the westernized method of dining table or dining alone.

We also have some of the older generations who do not want to forget the tradition of eating together. In another sense though, and they have coined another name for it. They prefer the concept of eating together when it comes to looting or sharing the national cake. That is the reason they call theirs ‘Chop-I-Chop’. This way, as long as a man is corrupt, he should and would turn a blind eye to the next man who is also corrupt. A sense of unity replaces love between them. Irrespective of family, ethnicity or political affiliation, they have a strong bond which till date nothing can break